Description

Policy:

• The registered nurse (RN) is a member of the interdisciplinary team under the supervision of the Clinical Nursing Supervisor.
• The RN is to identify patient/family needs
• The RN coordinates services to provide preventive and supportive care to the terminally ill and their families in accordance with approved Care Plans and Hospice policies and procedures.
• The RN directs the work of the LPN, NAC, and volunteers working in the Hospice House.
• The RN demonstrates commitment to the philosophy, goals and objectives of the hospice concept by utilizing teaching, assessment, and intervention skills to maximize the quality of life of patients and families in the Hospice House setting.

Essential Functions

1. Accept responsibility of care for patients admitted to or transferred into the Hospice House setting.

A. Conduct an initial assessment of patient and family needs, including physical, emotional, social, and spiritual factors.

B. Initiate and update the individualized plan of care in collaboration with the IDT.

C. Accomplish nursing assessments of all the unit’s patients during the shift according to policy.

D. Administer medications and treatments to patients.

1.  Request additional assessments and services from other disciplines on the team as needed.
2.  Assess patient/family knowledge of disease and care and determine deficiencies in that knowledge.
3. Evaluate the patient/family’s ability to learn and follow instructions.
4. Provide education, instruction and information as needed.
5. Provide direct nursing care to patients to achieve the highest level of comfort, continuity of care and quality of life.
6. Observe signs and symptoms, reactions to treatments, including drugs, and report changes in the patient’s physical or emotional condition to the physician.
7. Provide emotional support to patients and families in a nonjudgmental atmosphere.
8. Affirm patient/family life-style and involve them in decision making regarding care.
9. Coordinate care with other interdisciplinary team members and community resources. Provide continuity of care when patient is transferred back into the home setting.
10. Maintain complete, accurate, current patient records in accordance with Hospice record keeping procedures and requirement.
11. Participate in shift to shift report, monitor and report changes in patients’ condition or family situation, and participate in assessing the need for changes in the plan of care.
12. Inform other IDT members involved in the patient’s care of changes and needs as they occur during their Hospice House stay.
13. Supervise and direct care of Hospice House LPNs, NACs and volunteers scheduled on your shift.
14. Assess the LPNs and NACs knowledge of disease and care needs of individual patients and provide education, instruction, and information as needed.
15. Assist the Clinical Nursing Supervisor in the evaluation of the NACs skills and care provided to patients, as requested.
16. Communicate with the Clinical Nursing Supervisor any problems, changes, or issues that may arise in providing appropriate quality care to any patient in the Hospice House.
17. Communicate any changes or problems in patients’ condition, or family situation, with physician on a regular basis through telephone reports or during the physicians visit.
18. Follow the Hospice House Bereavement Policy in collaboration with the Bereavement Coordinator.

20. All Chaplaincy Health Care employees will follow the minimum standard regarding PHI when accessing patient information on a need to know basis only. All employees will practice appropriate safeguards when accessing this information.

Other Related Duties:

1. May be appointed to act in the absence of the Clinical Nursing Supervisor.
2. Attend regular Hospice House staff meetings and care conference meetings, as able.
3. Maintain knowledge of current applicable regulations and program policies/procedures pertaining to patient care and performance of nursing responsibilities.
4. Maintain and enhance nursing skills and knowledge through formal education, workshops and conferences, active participation in professional and related organizations and individual research and reading.
5. Contribute to agency operation and growth by participation in staff meetings, policy/procedure development, planning and evaluating services, and performance improvement activities.
6. Participate in training new staff and volunteers.
7. Participate in education and public relations activities within the community as requested by the Hospice Director or The Chaplaincy Executive Director.
8. Prepare and submit reports of patient services and other daily activities as required.
9. Perform additional related duties as assigned

Requirements

Knowledge/Abilities/Skills Required:

1. Ability to accept a wide variety of assignments and adjust to changing situations.
2. Ability to read and write clearly, concisely, and legibly.
3. Ability to work cooperatively with others and function as a member of a team.
4. Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
5. Ability to communicate effectively with and respond appropriately to patients and families in both routine and crisis situations.
6. Ability to maintain a neat and clean appearance in accordance with dress policy.
7. Ability to perform personal patient care and maintain a mature, sensitive, and caring attitude toward patients and their families.

Qualifications:

1. Current Washington State license as a professional registered nurse.
2. At least two years nursing experience, preferably with one year oncology, home health or hospice nursing.